Have you ever bought a beautiful dress on Amazon, only to find it looked drastically different from the photos? It’s happened to me more times than I care to admit. After all, I’m a shopping editor and spend a lot of time browsing and shopping online. Today, I’ll break down how to avoid this common mistake and spot red flags before adding an item to your cart.

👗 Key Question: Why do two dresses from Amazon with great reviews end up looking so different?

In this video, I compare two dresses I bought on Amazon: an off-the-shoulder maxi dress and a stand-up collar dress. First, both dresses had the following features:

Great reviews

Similar prices

Very different feelings upon arrival

Only one of the dresses on Amazon actually looked beautiful in person (and I’d wear it)—and the difference stems from a few details most people overlook.

🔍 Four Red Flags to Watch Out for When Shopping Online

Here’s a summary of my recent shopping spree—and what you should definitely check before clicking “buy now.” Trust me—it’ll save you time and money in the long run.

1. Look at the fabric

“One dress is 99% polyester, and the other? 55% linen. What a huge difference.”

Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic often look cheap and don’t drape or photograph well. Choosing natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk creates a higher-quality look and feel.

✅ Pro Tip: It’s definitely worth taking the time to scroll down to the “Fabric Type” section in the product details to see the details of the fabric construction.

The Drop Carlota Off-The-Shoulder Linen Maxi Dress
Of the two styles I tried on, this linen dress was my absolute favorite. The fabric looks and feels luxurious, and it runs true to size.

$79 ​​on Amazon

2. Zoom in on the review photos
   “The lighter-colored dress in the review looks see-through and wrinkled.”

While you always want to read written reviews of the product you’re interested in, it’s especially important to look at photos shared by other customers. These personal photos often reveal details that brand photos can’t. These photos may help you determine if the fabric is thin or wrinkles frequently, as well as how it actually looks on a variety of bodies (real, not models).

✅ Pro Tip: Check to see if all reviewers accessorize the item. For example, I noticed many reviewers added a belt to their turtleneck dress—a sign that the sizing might be off.

Prettygarden Sleeveless Stand Collar Dress
I really want to like this dress, but it looks incredibly cheap in person. I think the style runs large, and bra lines and imperfections are clearly visible.

Amazon Price: $58

3. Too Many Color Options? Be Wary
   “If it looks like the same dress has been copied and pasted in 30 different colors…it probably is.”

When shopping online, be wary of styles that come in dozens of colors and patterns. Often, this means a product photo has been altered to show different hues, rather than a carefully curated design.

4. Ignore this label at your own risk.
   “The first dress was marked ‘Frequently Returned’…but I bought it anyway.”

Retailers like Amazon now add a helpful warning to popular items that are frequently returned. If you see it, it’s not a mistake—it’s a sign that the item might not meet your expectations. A good rule of thumb is, if you see it, skip it. I’ll do that next time!